SDBJ Recognizes Four Manufacturing Award Winners

The San Diego Business Journal recognized four local companies at its third annual Manufacturing Awards on Thursday at The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. For more information about the winners, see the Oct. 16 print edition.

GENERAL DYNAMICS/NASSCO

In the mega company category (more than 1,000 employees), the winner was General Dynamics NASSCO. NASSCO is a full-service shipyard that designs, builds and repairs large, ocean-going vessels for the U.S. Navy and commercial customers.

Most recently, NASSCO delivered 10 ships in a period of 20 months, including the world's first two containerships to be powered by liquefied natural gas and eight tankers to service the U.S. commercial trade routes. It was the largest output of ships from a U.S. shipbuilder in a 20-month period of time since WWII. On the eight-ship ECO Class tanker program, NASSCO was able to build the last ship for 31 percent fewer hours than the first ship over a period of just 18 months — another major milestone in U.S. shipbuilding.

SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS

In the large company category (100 to 999 employees), the winner was Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics in San Diego. They manufacture protective coatings and window film that reduces glare, heat and energy cost for the automotive, commercial and residential industries. Products are sold in more than 90 countries under the Solar Gard, Quantum, and Solar Gard Armorcoat brands. They have developed a state-of-the-art metalizer that allows them to manufacture innovative products.

ONE STOP SYSTEMS INC.

In the medium company category (50 to 99 employees), the winner was One Stop Systems in Escondido. One Stop Systems manufactures high performance computer systems, including accelerators and all-flash storage arrays. Over the past three years, their production team has grown from 25 people to more than 50, and their revenue has more than doubled from $14 million to more than $30 million.

AURORALIGHT INC.

In the small company category (less than 49 employees), the winner was Auroralight Inc. in Carlsbad. Auroralight designs and manufactures landscape lighting fixtures. They have developed rapid prototyping capabilities through 3D printing and CAD/CAM software use to significantly reduce time needed for new or customized products. Auroralight also has seen productivity improvements of greater than 40 percent in some cases.